Tag Archives: Mental Health

Are you okay? This is a question you should ask your friends and family (and even your self) regularly.

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Its a day we are asked to create awareness for and support people who are doing it tough. By raising awareness and reducing the stigma attached to suicide its hoped people will be more open about their mental illness and depression they are suffering and may “talk it out” instead of resorting to suicide in desperation.

Activities are organised throughout the year in support of this. Those activities may call attention to the global burden of suicidal behaviour, and discuss local, regional and national strategies for suicide prevention, highlighting cultural initiatives and emphasizing how specific prevention initiatives are shaped to address local cultural conditions.

Initiatives which actively educate and involve people are likely to be most effective in helping people learn new information about suicide and suicide prevention. Examples of activities which can support World Suicide Prevention Day include:

Launching new initiatives, policies and strategies on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th.

Learning about Reaching out and Saving Lives, suicide prevention and mental health from materials found in IASP’s Web resource directory goo.gl/SVbJYy

Using the WSPD Press Preparation Package that offers media guides in the planning of an event or activity. goo.gl/UfqZmt

Holding conferences, open days, educational seminars or public lectures and panels

Writing articles for national, regional and community newspapers, blogs and magazines

Holding press conferences

Placing information on your website and using the IASP World Suicide Prevention Day Web banner, promoting suicide prevention in one’s native tongue. goo.gl/QoTZST

Securing interviews and speaking spots on radio and television

Organizing memorial services, events, candlelight ceremonies or walks to remember those who have died by suicide

Asking national politicians with responsibility for health, public health, mental health or suicide prevention to make relevant announcements, release policies or make supportive statements or press releases on WSPD

Holding depression awareness events in public places and offering screening for depression

Organizing cultural or spiritual events, fairs or exhibitions

Organizing walks to political or public places to highlight suicide prevention

Holding book launches, or launches for new booklets, guides or pamphlets

Lighting a candle a candle, near a window at 8 PM in support of: World Suicide Prevention Day, suicide prevention and awareness, survivors of suicide and for the memory of loved lost ones. Find “Light a Candle Near a Window at 8 PM” postcards in various languages at: goo.gl/9Ic1en

Participating in the World Suicide Prevention Day – Cycle Around the Globe goo.gl/csdyvG

Thanks to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) for the information contained in this article.

YOUR STORY ISN’T OVER YET

Project Semicolon (The Semicolon Project) is a faith-based non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love and inspire.

Using Exercise to Overcoming Mental Health Issues Related to FIFO Working
Its well established there are strong links between the demands of FIFO work and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicide. The aggravating factors being a macho culture where workers are reluctant to seek assistance or admit they have a problem due to redundancy risks, prison-like camp conditions and the supervisors being ill equipped to deal with workers issues. The end result for the FIFO workers and their families’ amounts to relationship stress, substance abuse, violence and or death\suicide.

Its clear there is a problem. The West Australian government Inquiry released today, sought to address the issue of FIFO suicide rates after nine FIFO workers took their life in one year. Although to be fair, this rate may be inline with suicide rates in the rest of Australia (These 9 reported deaths were onsite, there has been no investigation with offsite FIFO deaths). The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy which represents the mining industry during the inquiry says there is little data to support the suicide link. An interim report published by the West Australian Education and Health Standing Committee stated “..it is clear from the information reported…that the resource industry has an issue with mental health within its workforce..”

Could the answer be simple? In a survey commissioned by Lifeline in 2013 which studied nearly 950 FIFO workers, it recommended increasing self help seeking behaviour, developing targeted support, providing strategies to reduce the mental health stigma, exercise and eating healthily. Exercise and getting a good night sleep was listed by some in the findings, as a positive coping mechanisms. The WA Inquiry report recommended amongst other things * FIFO workers and their families should have access to an induction program to better prepare them for the lifestyle.

While the benefits of exercise and improved lifestyle seem abstract and hard to measure, they a no doubt evident. Exercise releases hormones called “Endorphins” and are named as such as they a naturally occurring opioids which block or reduce pain, ease feelings of anxiety and symptoms of depressions. It’s commonly cited by people after exercise that pain levels are reduced and they are left with a feeling of euphoria.

An investigation conducted by Joe Morgan of Fitness++ while researching ways of overcoming drug dependence through exercise, found that the body of work exactly fitted the problems related to FIFO workers, as exercise was a good way of improving or easing anxiety and depression symptoms. “The link occurred to me while reading about FIFO workers’ issues in the papers. If they have limited opportunity for exercise, or are making bad lifestyle choices then they are not unlike other people except the anxiety triggers are greater and may be amplified while isolated in camp. Regular exercise, improved nutrition and regular sleep help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms.”

The Reported was tabled today by the Western Australian Government and can be found here.